Diane at The W.H.O.L.E. Gang created a wonderful event called 30 Days to a Food Revolution, and I was thrilled when she asked me to participate. The event has even caught the attention of the true Food Revolution founder, Jamie Oliver. Nice. Love him!

For my contribution, Diane requested a recipe and tip along with some suggestions. I know, my tip may be a bit general, but my new found love of seasonal eating (thanks to the CSA) has escalated my love for whole foods even further. Plus, you don’t have to belong to a CSA to enjoy the benefits of seasonal eating. Just shop the sales, and look for beautiful, flavorful produce. Produce typically tastes best and is cheapest when it is at the peak of season. Bonus!

Are there any foods you simply can’t wait for to come in season? My first seasonal love is definitely strawberries, so I had to do something with it for my chosen recipe. Well, my one recipe is actually two very simple recipes, meant to inspire …

Dairy-Free Strawberry Oat (or Nut) “Milk”

This recipe is adapted from the Effortless Overnight Oat Milk and Strawberry Milk recipes in my book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook. It will create a very light, refreshing, and sweet beverage (if using ripe / in-season strawberries. The ones pictured are from my CSA last week). For a richer and creamier strawberry “milk,” see my “whole milk” option below.

The following recipes are Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Soy-Free, Nut-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, and optionally Vegan and Gluten-Free.

Place the oats and water in a sealed container (like a recycled glass jar), give it a quick shake, and place in the refrigerator. You can leave it for several hours, or do like I do, and just place the jar in the fridge at night to use the next day.

Give the jar a vigorous shake for 30 to 60 seconds. The liquid should start to turn oat colored. Strain the liquid, pressing as much as you can from the oats. Enjoy the oats for breakfast (they are now softened and ready to eat!), reserve them for another recipe, or see below for a quick breakfast shake option.

Place ¾ cup of the fresh oat milk (this is roughly the amount I get) in your blender along with 1/2 cup of the strawberries, and vanilla, if using. Blend until smooth. With the blender running, drizzle in the honey (or agave) through that top portal. Honey can chunk in cooler liquids, so it is best to drizzle it in while the beverage is whizzing away to help emulsify it. Taste test, and add more sweetener and/or strawberries to taste.

Quick “Whole Milk” Option: Use the Instant Nut Milk in Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook in place of the oat milk for a quick and rich strawberry “milk.” For a cheater’s version, store bought coconut milk beverage, light coconut milk, or hemp milk will offer some nice richness to strawberries.

These beverages look incredibly delicious! I am also planning to use your instructions to make plain oat milk. I recently tried the product from Pacific Foods, and was impressed with its thickness and natural sweetness– and homemade is undoubtably even better!